Bah, it's 40F here in Iowa City. Feels soooo warm. I was out riding my bike with no gloves or hat. Didn't need my rain jacket either. I think my ideal weather is low's in the 20s and 30s with highs in the 40s and 50s. No bugs, not too hot so I don't sweat, good biking and brewing weather...would just be perfect. I'd rather wear layers than not be able to take enough layers off and still be hot.

After a couple weeks of -15 temperatures, yesterday was about 40 degrees and I brewed in my T-shirt. I saw two little kids (ages 3 and 5, probably) running around Walmart with shorts and t-shirts on. Only in Minnesota, only in Walmart!

Today was 45 and just unbelievable. I almost went out to check for hop shoots!

Had to put the car AC on for the first time this season on Friday. That also meant that I had time to finish my deck extension project and put up the hop trellises. Apparently this is pretty normal for France mid-feb though, and in theory it'll drop back around March-ish.

Had to put the car AC on for the first time this season on Friday. That also meant that I had time to finish my deck extension project and put up the hop trellises. Apparently this is pretty normal for France mid-feb though, and in theory it'll drop back around March-ish.

Had to put the car AC on for the first time this season on Friday. That also meant that I had time to finish my deck extension project and put up the hop trellises. Apparently this is pretty normal for France mid-feb though, and in theory it'll drop back around March-ish.

A car in France with AC? Mon Dieu!

LOL, yeah I know. You should see some of the hoopdees people drive around here. My cousin-in-law had a tiny, tiny Citroen from (I think) the 70s that she let us "borrow" when we came to visit for the first time. The rear view mirror was in the glove compartment and we were told to "just hold it up whenever you need to see what's behind you." We never actually got the thing out of the parking lot, though - before they left on vacation they didn't tell us that the shifter knob had been replaced with one from an entirely different model of car that had a completely different shifter configuration.

My "win the lottery car" is the same old truck I drive now. Why replace what ain't broke?

I'm really enjoying the Feb. warm up here in Des Moines. Looking forward to mid-60's on Thursday. It will get rid of some snow and recharge us for the March "surprise" snow storms which are typically 16+ inches of wet, heavy, gawd awful snow that just about kills you to move it. Even with a 2 stage snow blower. Live in the moment when it's warm.

I even dug out the Weber Kettle on Sunday and made steaks. Mmmmm, charcoal grilled beef for the first time in months!

LOL, yeah I know. You should see some of the hoopdees people drive around here. My cousin-in-law had a tiny, tiny Citroen from (I think) the 70s that she let us "borrow" when we came to visit for the first time. The rear view mirror was in the glove compartment and we were told to "just hold it up whenever you need to see what's behind you." We never actually got the thing out of the parking lot, though - before they left on vacation they didn't tell us that the shifter knob had been replaced with one from an entirely different model of car that had a completely different shifter configuration.

I suspect you're talking about a 2CV4..... I love French "hoopdees". Growing up in Europe in the 60's 70's I drove and wrenched on many of them....Citroen 2cv4, DS 19/21/23 Simca 1000/1100 Renault 4, 8, 16......I'm sure I'm missing a few....

Getting a 2CV4 to play with in the US has long been on my wish list.....